Horses and Herpes

I haven’t owned horses since high school, but I’ll admit that I wasn’t even aware this disease existed. 

Equine Herpes Virus has been reported in several states in recent days, and it’s causing cancellation of horse-related events across the country.  Unlike other equine diseases like VEE, or other herpes virus strains, this one doesn’t affect humans - but they can be vectors,  transmitting the virus via hands and clothing.

Cutting-horse competitions scheduled for this coming weekend in nine states have been canceled; Washington State and Colorado State universities have quarantined their veterinary teaching hospitals; and two equestrian reining and jumping clinics in Colorado have been called off.

Utah state veterinarian Bruce King said Tuesday that he is recommending "that all events involving horses, mules and burros be canceled in Utah."

"People in the horse world are freaked," said one industry insider who spoke on condition of anonymity. "If horse sales don't come off and other shows lose an entire season, it will have a huge economic impact and could destroy some people financially."

Here’s the latest from the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram:

Texas animal-health officials Wednesday confirmed one case of a horse infected with a deadly virus that is being blamed for shutting down events in Fort Worth and across the nation.

The horse, infected with a neurological form of the Equine Herpes Virus, or EHV-1, was from New Mexico but was taken to a West Texas veterinary clinic this week, according to the Texas Animal Health Commission. The horse is now home and under quarantine, the agency said.

The National Cutting Horse Association in Fort Worth reported Wednesday afternoon that a horse in Weatherford had tested positive for the virus and that it was under quarantine, too. The horse reportedly had been at the NCHA Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah, where a number of the infected horses participated, the group said.

While state and NCHA officials could not be reached to discuss the Weatherford case, state officials have said that they are investigating about 20 horses that were apparently taken to the national championships that ran from April 29 to May 8. Horses that attended the event are under movement restrictions. Texas officials said that they will continue to monitor all exposed horses and that it is possible that new cases will be diagnosed.

"Strict adherence to the imposed movement restrictions and practicing good biosecurity procedures by the involved horse owners will be the key to limiting the scope of this situation," Dr. Dee Ellis, Texas' state veterinarian, said in a statement.

At least 17 horses in six states and Canada have been infected with EHV-1, and at least three have died. Symptoms include hindquarter weakness and tremors, the state reported. Generally, fewer than half the animals that get the virus come down with the most serious neurological symptoms.

The disease is commonly transferred by air and is highly contagious. The disease can also can be spread through contact with contaminated objects and people's hands and clothing. The virus has no cure but poses no threat to humans.

NCHA Executive Director Jeff Hooper said Wednesday that all of its sanctioned events in the U.S. this weekend have been canceled, and that the group will decide early next week about the following weekend's shows. The NCHA has about 20,000 members.

"We thought it was best to err on the side of caution and minimize the transport of horses," Hooper said. "People are concerned, but people also want factual information."

As a precautionary measure, the Texas Quarter Horse Association has also canceled cutting-horse events scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday at the annual Texas Classic Show in Fort Worth, according to its executive director, Barbara Linke.

But only the cutting events have been canceled because the outbreak at the national championship isn't believed to have affected horses in other disciplines, she said.

The NCHA said it is not mandating the cancellation of shows, but it supports affiliates and show producers that do so in the interest of horse health. Texas animal-health officials have not recommended shows be shut down or imposed more stringent restrictions on interstate transport of animals, but they said that decision will be re-evaluated daily.

Lindy Burch, a former president of the NCHA and a member of the Cutting Horse Trainers Hall of Fame, said owners need to keep their horses on their ranches.

"Horses went their separate ways [after the Utah competition] before people knew what was going on," she said. "They went back to several states."

Burch said she gave 40 horses an immune system stimulus to help protect them, and she tested seven that went to this month's Breeder's Invitational.

Cutting-horse owners could be affected financially if shows are canceled, she said.

However, she added, "Nothing matches the devastation of losing a great horse. The loss of money pales in comparison to losing a horse."